Choosing the Right Estate Agent to Sell your Home
Selling your home is a big decision especially with the struggles facing today’s housing market. Whether you’re new to property selling or you’re unsure about selling in a buyer’s market, you’ll definitely want to make sure you make the right choice when it comes to who you trust to sell your house. There are many things to take into consideration when deciding on an estate agent. Here are just a few ideas to help you pin-point how to find the best estate agent for you. 1) When selling your property it’s best to start by researching how much your home is likely to fetch considering its location, condition and number of rooms. It’s likely your home is of similar value to others on your street in your area. Talk to your neighbours or have a drive around to see which local estate agents are selling the most properties near your home. Take note of how many have been sold versus how many have been left on the market. It’s worth looking into how long properties in your area have been for sale, as well as noting the prices. Your local newspaper is an invaluable resource when it comes to estate agents and house prices, so make sure you’re having a look regularly! 2) Once you have a short-list of estate agents you think will be capable of selling your home it’s time to research into them. Have a look at how successfully they have sold houses that are of a similar size to yours, as well as how much for. It’s also important at this stage to start looking into their fees as well as their terms and conditions. Shop around for not only the best deals, but the most likely agent to sell your home. This is especially important if you’re looking for a quick sale. 3) Now you’ve wheedled out the agents you’re unlikely to select, it’s time to have your property surveyed. This is your chance to meet your prospective agent and ask them any questions you might have. Find out about how likely your home is for a quick-sale, what offers to realistically expect and how many viewings houses in your area tend to get. Be thorough, especially when it comes to finding out about how your house will be advertised. Modern technology means some estate agents can offer online viewings of your home – do any on your shortlist offer advantages like this? 4) Don’t jump at the person who values your property at the highest – try to find out why it is they’re valuing your home differently to the others. If you’ve researched into the company carefully enough, it’s unlikely you’ll fall victim to a scam at this stage, but if you notice any dramatic differences in valuations then be wary! 5) When it comes to discussing fees, different agencies will charge differently. Some ask for a percentage of your home’s final sale price, while others will prefer to follow a fixed cost. Negotiation is paramount when working with estate agents, so don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal. You might want to consider selling using more than one agent – this is a good idea if you’re looking to sell quickly, but this can alter the fees dramatically, so do the research if this is something you’re looking into.